CHAPTER THE FIFTH. THE HE early history of cities, as well as of nations, is generally so envelloped in obscurity, or disguised in fable, that it is difficult to state with precision the exact period of their commencement. It is still more difficult to trace the periods of the progress by which they have advanced from insignificancy to importance. History has not condescended to record the period, in which the fisherman first erected a hut, or the shepherd built a cottage, on the spot which has since become eminent in civilization, or wealthy by commerce; and time sweeps before him in his progress the vestiges which would enable the antiquary to determine the degrees, by which the hut became a hamlet, or the cottage was increased to a village. Equally unknown is the variety of gradations, by which the village was enlarged to a fortified city, protected by its charters, and increasing by its privileges, till it emulated a metropolis in population, in opulence, and in extended commerce. To the history of Bristol, to its early state, and to the progressive advances, by which it attained its present rank among the commercial cities of the empire, these observations are particularly applicable; and as in this chapter it is proposed to give a sketch of the successive and recent improvements of the city, commencing with its original plan, and proceeding through its several alterations to the present time; these observations must form the introduction to such facts, as we have been able to collect, in relation to these subjects. The original form of Bristol appears to have been circular; its principal streets, High-street with Broad-street, and Wine-street with Corn-street, intersecting each other, appear to have constituted the diameters of the circle. Its most ancient boundaries were John's gate and Nicholas gate on the north and south; Defence gate, near Dolphinstreet, and Baldwin gate,* near Baldwin-street, This gate was subsequently called Leonard's, or Blind gate; (through which was the ancient course of the river Froome) constituted the boundaries on the east and west. In addition to these principal gates, the wall also contained St. Giles' gate, and Tower gate; the archway of the last, and that of St. John's gate, constitute the chief remains of the ancient fortifications. It moreover deserves to be mentioned, that each of the principal gates had a church or chapel adjoining to it, of which St. John's church is the only existing specimen. The extension of the original plan of the city appears to have commenced on the side of Redcliff, and on that of Temple. These parishes, howeyer, seem to have been rather rival cities, or independent towns, than parts of the ancient city; for it is certain that Redcliff, in which Bedminster was included, was governed by its own magistrates; the chief of whom was denominated Præpositor,' and exercised the same authority, as well as possessed the same title, as the chief magistrate of Bristol. 6 The only means of communication between Bristol and Redcliff was originally that of a ferry; and consequently that communication must have but whether Baldwin's gate was its most ancient denomination is perhaps dubious. |